Monday, November 2, 2009

I'm sure you've seen her name all over blogdom as she designs for Taylored Expressions sketch, Sweet & Sassy Stamps and my new favorite challenge blog, Stampin' Sisters in Christ, among other things. It was through SSIC that I fist came across Lisa's artwork. I immediately became a fan. I was honored to find out that she has some of my previous GinaK stamps. She and I became immediate friends because of our cardmaking hobby and, more importantly our common love for Christ and His Word.

She has blessed me more than she'll ever know through her encouraging words and comments on my blog. I am thankful that God has allowed our paths to cross, even only through cyberspace. It is such a treat for me to have her as my Guest DT this month. Be prepared to be wowed by this incredible card maker. Here's one of her cards using Vintage Borders and Lord of the Season sets.

Here are some questions I asked Lisa, to help you all get to know her better.

How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started? I've been paper crafting for more than 10 years. I actually started with scrapbooking after a friend talked me into hosting a Creative Memories workshop. I was hooked from Hello! Not too long afterwards, I was getting my nails done and my manicurist had a Stampin Up catalog at her station. She was hosting a catalog party. I picked it up and started flipping through the pages, and that was IT. I called the Demonstrator soon after and placed my first order (I was my own show!). The rest, as they say, is history.

embellishments - Ribbon, buttons and rhinestones... a card just doesn't seem finished to me without one or all!

coloring mediums - Copics, mainly because they are so quick and easy to use. I also enjoy watercoloring when time permits, which doesn't seem very often anymore.

3. What inspires you to create? Quite simply, the beauty and joy of art. I'm predominately left-brained, but I've always had a true and abiding appreciation for all forms of art. I love to immerse myself in them and savor every moment. In paper crafting, the amazing array of designer papers, color, embellishments and stamp designs sing to my soul and make me long to sit down and create.

4. Tell us something about your family. I'm the mother of four boys (ages 24, 21, 16 and 13), who are the lights of my life. My husband and I have been married for more than 25 years (I was a child bride, of course *wink*). Golf is huge in my family. My husband was a Club Golf Professional for 20 years, and has been a University Golf Coach for nearly 10 years. My boys all play golf, but they love all sports. Me, I'm the odd duck because I'm very sedentary, prefering to craft or read or take a nap! I work full time outside the home in University administration. I grew up as an Air Force brat, so had the privilege of living in lots of different places in the US and abroad before settling down for what is now most of my life in Southern California. We are members of the Lutheran church, Missouri Synod.

5. Do you have a favorite quote that you live by? Because I am a Christian, there are many scriptures that are favorite quotes. But one in particular stands out: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." There is such peace in knowing that! I also recently ran across this variation on the Serenity prayer, which I've printed out and pinned up on my board as a constant reminder: "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know that person is me." Amen!

-------------------------------------------------------I have a few tips to share with you using my new set, Vintage Borders. You can download the PDF file with all this info on the StampTV Idea Center Vintage Borders page >> HERE <Approximate Stamp Sizes:

Stamps 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8 can be used for any occasion, not just for holiday projects.

Stamps 1 and 5 can create an illusion of a scalloped border layer when stamped with a contrasting color to the cardstock.

Stamps 1, 3 and 5 can be stamped and trimmed for a cute little embellishment, even in lieu of ribbon.

Stamp 2 has “Merry Christmas” in different languages. A specific greeting can be highlighted by using a marker to color it and used by itself.

These stamps, especially #’s 2 and 4, can also be used to create a beautiful, quick background.

Stamp 3 can be stamped with white ink and embossed for a realistic looking lace.

All of these stamps, especially #’s 3. 4, 8 and 9 will look good embossed because of their delicate details.

Stamp 4 makes a great border or background paired with other images, such as birthday-themed, birds, and of course, holiday-themed stamps. It’s always perfect when the recipient of the card is a music lover, no matter the occasion.

Glue pearls, rhinestones or brads to the center of the lace flowers (#3), scallops (#’s 1 and 5), snowflake (#9) for an added beautiful effect.

Punch the little holes in stamp 5 for added effect. · Highlight a ribbon on a card by stamping scallops on both sides of it.

The scallops and lace stamps are great to pair with other images for baby, wedding, anniversary, and feminine cards.

These stamps are not limited to vintage, shabby style projects. The detailed images can make clean and simple cards stunning and easily mass produced.

These images are perfect for distressing techniques, such as tearing paper edges, sponging, wrinkling the paper, using distressed inks, etc. to give projects the aged, vintage look..

Stamps 1-6 can be stamped side by side to create longer borders. To ensure the images line up when you do this, you can use a stamp positioner (like Stampamajig or Apple Pie makes an acrylic one) or do the following.

1. By using a ruler as a guide, find a straight line on the image and mark the sides of the stamp with a pen as shown in circles below.

2. Extend the mark onto the sides and on the back of the stamp as shown.

3. Lay the stamp flat on the table and by using an acrylic block with gridlines, line up the marks on the stamp to the gridlines. When you stamp, make sure you line up the gridlines to the edges of the paper and you’ll have a straight image without added gadgets.

14 comments:

Oh Nina, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm truly humbled and blessed! And thanks for all those awesome tips on using your set... especially your tip on lining up. Your way looks much easier than the way I've been doing it!

Hello! My name is Nika!Thank you for comment! I so like your blog too! We are from Russia. My husband and I to work with students. We organize many clubs to construct attitudes friendship and to speak them about the Christ. I have ladys club, we to do hand made cards, scrapbook, quilt and crosstitch. It is good opportunity to testify about our God and His love! Every Saturday I have craft club for ladyes. We do cards, quilt, crochet, cross stitch too. It very not usual and new to Russian culture. I to study from different blogs how to make cards, made quilt and to use different technics. We are missionary to the Far East Russia. We are russian. We live in city Birobidzhan, it is the Jewish region in Russia. A lot of Jews live here. They have synagogues and to celebrate religious holidays. But many of them do not know the Christ. We have 2 daughters. Polina is 9 years and Liliya is 3 years.And if you are interesting about us I shall be glad give answer to you. I will glad if you can write me.Sorry my English. May I ask if you can send some stamps for our club?May God bless your ministry too only for Gods glory!!!!!Nika

I just ordered this set and can't wait to get it. There are soo many pretty Christmas sets out there right now and I chose this one because it just "spoke" to me. And I really appreciate the tips, especially about how to line up for multiple images without a stampamajig. I am a VERY frugal scrapper and saving any $$ is important to me. Thanks for designing such a great set and for giving us such great tips.

Thanks Nina for a wonderful set of stamps. I love the work that you do as well as being such a great witness to Our Lord and Saviour. Your tip on lining up stamps is fantastic thanks for sharing it with us. I also connect with people at my local church where I teach card making as an outreach to non chritians in the community and I find that it brings so many together.

All content, including photos, freebies, images and text, are copyrighted by Nina C Brackett. Feel free to be inspired by them and use the freebies, but please give proper credit by linking to my blog. All freebies are for your own personal use only. Don't share them with others in any form whatsoever, but direct your friends to my blog to get their own copy. Please email me with any questions. Thanks.